by Marie Brown
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On Earth, the woman would be the ultimate Goth. Collector wondered where the thought came from, then shrugged off curiosity in favor of being able to think again. He picked himself up off the cold, harsh floor, and stared in horror at the beautiful, eyeless face of the woman in black.
"So," she said, "what have we here?" The woman rose from her twisted throne and glided towards him. "Rumor has it you're called Collector."
"So the Namer named me."
"Well, Collector, you'll find your task impossible to complete inside my Labyrinth. Collect all you wish, but there will be no re-assembly, and no reunification, do you understand me?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about!"
"All the better," the Dark Queen purred. "You can wander my Labyrinth in utter confusion. And I will continue as I have, remaking this world in my image."
She gestured and shadow-creatures swept Collector back into darkness.